Devi Prasad Tripathi, a great votary of the cooperative model of development breathed his last Thursday morning at 10 am, plunging his friends and families into gloom. He was 68. His cremation is slated for tomorrow on Friday.
Born in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh Tripathi was president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, and later taught at Allahabad University as a professor of politics.
A formidable intellectual Tripathi was also the editor of the quarterly journal Think India. He spoke several Indian and foreign languages.
A versatile politician Tripathi was a close associate of Rajiv Gandhi. Later he joined NCP and become close to Sharad Pawar.
Tripathi’s association with IFFCO and its MD Dr U S Awasthi is quite old. As a jury member of IFFCO Shukla Award he was entrusted with the job of ferreting out the best literary minds- a job he did with great aplomb.
Offering his condolences IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi wrote on his twitter wall, “Deeply Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri. D.P Tripathi Ji. A great writer, thinker, a political analyst and former member of Rajya Sabha. His writings & work for #farmers #cooperatives & #Literature is commendable. May god rest his soul in peace. My Heartfelt Condolences”.
Tripathi’s nephew Jitendra Tiwary is heading the officers’ union at IFFCO. Like his uncle Tiwary is also quite popular due to his easy and transparent behavioural style.